A Glimpse Into the Cabana I Designed for the Lake Forest Showhouse

Somehow, we’ve made it to July, and Chicago summer is in full swing! If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that the spring was an especially busy time for me due to my involvement in the Lake Forest Showhouse. It was such an honor to work with an incredible group of designers to design one of the 30 rooms in the 1895 home—mine was the cabana, which I of course, made extra cheerful and colorful, but more on that soon. While the showhouse was open to the public from April 26 through May 29, I spent months ahead of time prepping to bring my space to life, and I’m so excited to share more about it with you all. Keep reading to learn all about the process of designing the cabana from start to finish, the vendors I worked with, my favorite elements of the completed space, and more.

Bringing the Cabana to Life

The home that served as this year’s showhouse was originally designed in 1925 by the iconic David Adler for Gwethalyn Jones—a prominent socialite and arts patron. As someone who deeply values design history, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to breathe new life into a space with that kind of legacy. When I toured the property, I felt an immediate connection to the pool house cabana, even though I had never tackled this type of space before. 

The timeline for the project was tight—just a few months from initial walkthrough to installation. Designing at that pace forced me to trust my instincts and streamline decision-making. There’s very little room for hesitation when everything from custom upholstery to sourcing vintage lighting is on a compressed schedule. But I thrive under pressure, and in some ways, the limited time helped me be bolder and more decisive.

That said, the cabana space came with a whole new set of considerations—durability, water exposure, and transitioning between indoor and outdoor use. One major challenge was the original layout: it included multiple small changing stalls and an awkwardly placed shower. My instinct was to open the space up, so I converted two stalls into a lounge area and embraced the fixed location of the shower by making it a statement moment with Lumix marble and mosaic tile.

A key takeaway? Lean into the quirks of a space and make them features, not flaws.

What I Love Most About the Finished Cabana Space

While it’s definitely hard to choose what I love the most about the finished cabana space, I’m especially proud of the arched hallway ceiling. From the moment I saw it, I knew it needed to be highlighted. I designed wave-like fabric panels that not only draw the eye upward but subtly reference the nearby pool. The hallway becomes an immersive, almost cinematic experience, leading to two dressing rooms that feel like a whimsical surprise—each with trompe l’oeil painted drapery and panoramic wallcoverings that transport you into another world. 

Vendors Featured Throughout the Space

One of the best parts of my job is getting to source from so many incredible vendors located all across the globe, and I worked with some incredible partners for the showhouse, incorporating a mix of trade-only and direct-to-consumer pieces.

The Fine Line provided the beautiful zellige and mosaic tile, and The Vale London’s beaded trim added a layer of glamour that wraps the hallway ceiling like a necklace. Serena and Lily’s coastal accessories helped reinforce the cabana’s beach-club vibe. I sourced vintage lighting from France and Italy, and collaborated with my contractor to create a custom banquette sofa, layered with cushions to add softness and texture. The drapery is a striped Sanderson fabric with a delicate sheen, chosen to catch both natural light and candlelight.

I also worked with Isidore Leroy, a wallpaper company based in Bordeaux. Their Rainbow wallpaper was used in the powder room, both on the ceiling and inset into faux-bamboo box trim. I also selected their Dune panoramic wallpaper to place in the two changing rooms. 

Decorative painter Julie Lawrence helped me achieve a Narnia-moment where it appears the dressing rooms are draped in fabric and lead out to another vista—this was a neat trompe l’oeil effect.

Showcasing the Space to the Public

After all the planning and technical work that went into each and every room before it was complete, it was incredibly rewarding to witness members of the public enjoying the showhouse.

I designed the cabana space to be immersive and story-driven, and seeing visitors respond emotionally—feeling transported or surprised—was the best compliment.

I loved talking to people about the materials, the layout choices, and even the original history of the space. It’s not every day you get to share your design process in such a direct way, and I walked away energized and inspired.

I designed the cabana space to be immersive and story-driven, and seeing visitors respond emotionally—feeling transported or surprised—was the best compliment.

I loved talking to people about the materials, the layout choices, and even the original history of the space. It’s not every day you get to share your design process in such a direct way, and I walked away energized and inspired. 

Didn’t get a chance to make it to the showhouse? It was featured on Homeworthy! You can tour the cabana with me below!

Have an upcoming project you’d like me to take a peek at? Send me a DM on Instagram or email me to chat! I can’t wait to hear what you think of the Cabana!